Rack



Patented lan. M, 1936 U iii' i T S ATENT cris l Claim.

This invention relates to a rack, and itis an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind particularly designed to hold books, magazines, pictures, newspapers, stenographic notebooks, and other such articles that require bracing.

It is also an object of they invention to provide a device of this kind which can be readily adjusted at varying angles to accommodate the sight so that the same can be used with facility with a reader lying down, sitting, reclining or standing and also a device which is equally convenient for reading at a table, in bed, in the garden, on the beach, in the bath tub, and on a train or other vehicle.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved rack whereby certain important advantages are attained and `the `device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinater be deiinitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, whereinz- Y Figure l is a view in front elevation of a rack constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention or viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows as applied to Figure 2, with portions in section;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line flil of Figure 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, l denotes a flat base member of desired length and having its rear marginal portion denned by anA upstanding flange 2. Welded or otherwise secured to the iiange 2 adjacent to its opposite ends are the elongated parallel arms 3 disposed at right angles to the member l. The outer or free end portions of the arms 3 have pivotally connected therewith, as at il, the swinging arms 5. Each of these arms 5 adjacent to its pivotal connection l has struck therefrom a small stop finger t for contact with the adjacent edge portion of an arm 3 whereby is limited the extent of outward swinging movement of the arm 5.

The outer end portion of each of the arms 5 is returned to provide a clip 'l which is adapted to engage the marginal portion of a newspaper or other large sheet or sheets to hold the same in convenient position for the reader, it also being understood that the lower portion of such sheet or sheets is held to the lower portions of the arms 3 by the spring clips secured to the member I immediately in advance of the arms 3. 'Ihese clips il are relatively large and sufficiently resilient and yieldable for effective engagement with an open book or other matter which may be rested upon the member I and against the arms 3. The arms 5 have slidably engaged therewith, as at 9, end portions of spring clips l@ which are adapted to be moved along the arms 5 to desired locations for use in holding large volumes or the like firmly in position upon the rack.

The arms 3 are maintained in their desired parallel relation by a cross bar I I welded or otherwise attached thereto and each of the arms 3 above said bar il has extending rearwardly therefrom a threaded member I 2 which is freely disposed through an elongated slot I4 extending lengthwise through a sliding arm I5. These arms I5 rest from above upon the bar I I and are adapted to be extended or retracted to provide additional means for holding large sheets or, if desired, an artists canvas. These arms I5 are held in desired adjustment by proper rotation of a wing nut I6 or the like engaged with each of the threaded members I2.

' The outer end portion of `each of these arms I5 is also returned to provide a clip ITI to facilitate its desired holding engagement with the sheet with which it is to be employed.

The bar Il has secured to its rear face a clip I8 for holding a pencil or kindred object and the flange 2 immediately to the rear of the arms 3 has secured thereto the lower end portions of the upstanding spring arms I9 providing means for holding cards or kindred sheets.

suitably secured to the rear faces of the arms 3 adjacent their outer or free end portions are the rearwardly disposed brackets til through each of which is freely disposed an outwardly and laterally directed trunnion 2l arranged at the free end portion of a side arm 22 of a substantially U-shaped prop for holding the arms 3 at a desired angle in a manner as particularly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. Each of these brackets 20 is provided with an inwardly facing arcuate rack 23 with which an arm 22 is adapted to be engaged for holding the prop at a selective angle with respect to the arms 3 the desired adjustment of the prop being readily effected by pressinginwardly the arms 22 of the prop which possess suiicient inherent resiliency to cause the same to normally engage the racks.

While in the present embodiment of my invention I disclose the use of only a single swinging arm in connection With an arm 3, it is believed to be obvious that if preferred a plurality of arms 5 may be employed in connection With each of said arms 3. l

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a rack constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly Well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification Without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:-

A rack of the class described comprising a base member, arms secured thereto adjacent the opposite ends of said member, a bar connecting said arms for further holding the same in desired relation, swinging arms pivotally connected with the outer end portions of the first arms, engaging means carried by the outer end portions of the swinging arms, engaging means carried by the member and coacting with the irst named arms, movable arms engaging the bar from above, coacting means carried by the first arms and said movable arms for holding the same against endwise movement in opposite directions with respect to the rst named arms and for locking said movable arms in desired adjustment, and engaging means carried by said movable arms.

ELISE R. NORWOOD. 

